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First woman to fly China's J-10 jet dies in crash

According to China Daily, Xu was killed when she hit the wing of another jet while ejecting from her own during a training exercise in the northern province of Hebei. Her male co-pilot was able to eject safely. Photograph: (Facebook)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

She was one of only four women who could fly the domestically-made fighter jet

The first woman to fly China's the J-10 fighter jet died in a crash Saturday, the South China Morning Post reported.

Yu Xu was one of 4 female pilots who could fly the domestically-made fighter jet.

According to China Daily, she was killed when she hit the wing of another jet while ejecting from her own during a training exercise in the northern province of Hebei. Media reports said Xu was flying with a male co-pilot, who managed to eject safely.

Yu Xu, 30, was a member of the Chinese air force's "August 1st" aerobatic display team.

"As one of only four female pilots in the country capable of flying domestically made fighter jets, her death comes as a tremendous loss to the Chinese air force," the Global Times newspaper said.

Yu applied to become a pilot in the air force in 2005 and, four years later, became one of China’s first 16 female pilots of fighter jets, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Xinhua quoted Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke as saying all its personnel were "deeply regretful and mournful" at her "unfortunate death".

(WION with inputs from AFP)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

She was one of only four women who could fly the domestically-made fighter jet